Womad Festival Returns Joyously to Neston Park

The Womad festival marked a highly anticipated return at its new location, Neston Park, following a year-long hiatus in 2025. The event fostered an immersive atmosphere where the lines between audience and artist blurred, with attendees encountering headliners in casual settings and participating in intimate discussions. The new site at Neston Park, situated in Wiltshire, offered a more intimate, village-like setup compared to previous iterations, enhanced by an arboretum layout. This configuration also facilitated a shorter and more convenient walking distance from all camping areas. A notable aspect of the festival's design was the limited mobile phone signal, which encouraged face-to-face interactions among festival-goers, reinforcing the communal spirit. Attendees could tailor their mornings to various activities, ranging from West African djembe workshops and "laughing yoga" sessions to relaxing in wood-fired tubs while enjoying the distant sounds of music.

Musical performances at Womad often transcended strict schedules, with artists improvising and engaging directly with the audience and event organizers. A prime example of this occurred during reggae legend Barrington Levy's set on Friday. Levy audibly challenged the promoter regarding the allotted performance time, stating, "Mr Promoter, don’t invite me to your festival and tell me to get off the stage. I’m fucking playing as long as I like." The audience supported his stance, leading to an extended performance that included renditions of "Black Roses" and "Here I Come." Levy's commanding stage presence captivated a diverse crowd, comprising seniors, families, and children, all of whom were receiving a significant musical education. The festival also featured a standout performance by Brazilian artist Daniela Mercury, whose energetic set contributed to the overall spirited musical landscape.

Beyond the musical offerings, the festival incorporated a discernible thread of political commentary and social engagement. This underlying theme was woven into the fabric of the event, running parallel to the vibrant musical performances. The return of Womad to Neston Park signifies a successful re-establishment of its unique blend of global music, cultural exchange, and community building. The festival's ability to create a space for both artistic expression and meaningful social connection underscores its enduring appeal and its role as a significant cultural event. The new site's layout and the enforced digital detox contributed to a more present and connected experience for attendees, allowing for deeper engagement with the performances and the festival's broader ethos. The combination of a welcoming environment, diverse artistic talent, and a spirit of shared experience made the return of Womad a hugely welcome event.